damned

1 of 2

adjective

damneder ˈdam-dər How to pronounce damned (audio) ; damnedest or damndest ˈdam-dəst How to pronounce damned (audio)
1
: damnable
this damned smog
2
: complete, utter
often used as an intensive
a damned shame
3
: extraordinary
used in the superlative
the damnedest contraption you ever saw

damned

2 of 2

adverb

: extremely, very
a damned good job

Examples of damned in a Sentence

Adjective only a damned fool would say such a thing Adverb it's a damned fine day
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
There’s a sense that Downey is returning to a onetime all-star team grown fallow with youthful replacements, Moon Knight–ish non-icons, and too many damned Ant-people. Darren Franich, Vulture, 31 July 2024 Child's play: Saved — and damned — when mature vamps Louis (Brad Pitt) and Lestat (Tom Cruise) give her a transfusion, Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) becomes part of a perverse nuclear family. Ew Staff, EW.com, 15 July 2024
Adverb
Still, Moore is pretty damned great — this could almost be her Fly. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2024 Calla is trying her damned best not to sound angry. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for damned 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

circa 1669, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of damned was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near damned

Cite this Entry

“Damned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damned. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on damned

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!